Congressman Scott Peters

Representing the 52nd District of California

National Security

Rep. Scott Peters - Supporting San Diego’s role in America’s National Security

In Congress, Scott serves as a member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and sits on two subcommittees: Seapower & Projection Forces; and Intelligence, Emerging Threats, & Capabilities. The 52nd District is home to a large military presence, including Naval Air Station North Island, Naval Air Base Coronado, Naval Base Point Loma, Naval Base San Diego, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Coast Guard Sector San Diego, and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. As a member of HASC, Scott is responsible for the oversight and legislation pertinent to our national defense.

As a member of HASC, Scott advocates for defense priorities that are important to our armed forces and to San Diego, including supporting our region’s military presence and the jobs that go along with it.

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) annually provides the necessary authorities and funding for America’s military, including procurement, operations and maintenance, and personnel matters. As part of the NDAA process, Scott advocated for numerous issues that affect the San Diego region and its economy including a strong naval fleet, robust funding for research and development, a more streamlined acquisition process, and an increased focus on DoD energy security and efficiency. 

Scott also led a successful effort in 2014 to transfer $120 million that had been unnecessarily appropriated to a dead project in South Carolina, a so-called ‘zombie earmark,’ to instead pay for 8 additional Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) MQ-9s that were an unfunded priority of the Air Force. These UAVs are developed in Poway, CA, and support high-skilled jobs in the district. 

Strong Naval Fleet and Maritime Industry

Scott is strong supporter of a robust naval fleet capable of meeting the global demands placed on the Navy. He supports a fleet of eleven aircraft carriers and sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to affirm it. He has also advocated for continued funding of the Maritime Security Program, a public-private partnership which guarantees that America flag commercial vessels and American crews will be available to ‘answer the call’ for enhanced sealift to transport supplies and equipment required by our military.

DoD Energy Security

In April 2014, Scott, along with Senator Mark Udall, introduced the bicameral Department of Defense Energy Security Act (DODESA), which will help the U.S. Department of Defense reduce energy use, boost combat effectiveness, and speed up the development of advanced military technologies. Scott introduced this legislation because energy security is a national security imperative, and taking measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption means a more capable and ready military. 

Scott is also a strong supporter of the development of biofuels for our military. He is cosponsor of the Biofuels Development Act, which establishes a $25 million pilot program for the Air Force to make competitive grants to support research and development, education, and training to produce a bio-based aviation fuel for use by the Air Force. He also supports the biofuel efforts of the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Agriculture through the Defense Production Act to process military biofuel supplies, which supports energy independence of the U.S. military. 

As a tireless advocate for veterans and their transition out of the military, Scott is a cosponsor of Incentives for our Nation’s Veterans in Energy Sustainability Technologies (INVEST) Act. The bill expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to employers who hire veterans with a certification for renewable energy technology or have used their Montgomery GI bill to complete vocational training in renewable energy fields.

Fighting Terrorism

Scott supports targeted airstrikes to thwart the advance of the Islamic State in Syria and the Levant (ISIL). He voted to authorize the President to train and equip moderate Syrian opposition forces to fight ISIL so that they are capable of countering ISIL on the ground and defending themselves and their nation, and denying ISIL a safe haven.

Scott is committed to preventing a nuclear-armed Iran. He has voted to strengthen sanctions and is a co-sponsor of the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act of 2013 which designates Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps as a “foreign terrorist organization,” and imposes stiff economic sanctions on Iran.

Scott is also a co-sponsor of the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act, which curtails Hezbollah’s global logistics and financial network, and is a cosponsor of the Iron Dome Support Act which authorizes the President to provide assistance for the procurement, maintenance, enhancement, and sustainment of additional Iron Dome defense systems for Israel.

More on National Security

Rep. Peters Helps Pass Military Budget That Benefits San Diego

Dec 4, 2014 Press Release
“Passing this bill will benefit San Diego’s economy and serve our national security interests,” Rep. Peters said. “This will improve our military’s readiness efforts and protect our promises to servicemembers and their families. I am glad that the House and Senate Armed Services Committees came together for a constructive discussion to form this agreement, ensuring that we pass our 53rd straight military budget.”

Rep. Peters’ Statement on President Obama’s Immigration Executive Actions

Nov 20, 2014 Press Release
This evening, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement regarding President Obama’s announcement of executive actions on our immigration system:

Rep. Peters Hosts Anti-Human Trafficking Forum

Oct 22, 2014 Press Release
“Smuggling and trading human beings is an affront to civilized society and it must be stopped,” Rep. Peters said. “It will take a highly coordinated effort between federal, state, and local actors to end this scourge, and supporting non-profit entities to help the victims recover. I’m proud to bring this panel together to discuss how we can stop human trafficking in our community.”

Go after super pollutants

Oct 20, 2014 Op-Eds
We already have many of the technologies needed to fight super pollutants. Given how harmful these super pollutants are on our environment, it only makes sense to use these existing technologies to reduce our emissions and slow climate change before it is too late.

Screening of 'The Burden' at PLNU

Oct 8, 2014 Event

WHAT: Screening of 'The Burden' and Panel Discussion

PANEL: Congressman Scott Peters, California's 52nd District

            Andrea Marr, Former Navy Officer and Operation Free spokesperson

            Nicole Capretz, Director of Policy for City of San Diego Councilmember Ed Harris

            Rosco Williamson, Chair of PLNU’s History Political Science Department

            April Maskiewicz, Chair of PLNU’s Biology Department

Reps. Peters, Vargas to Introduce “Treason and Passport Revocation Act” to address Foreign Fighters from the United States

Sep 25, 2014 Press Release
“Preventing terrorists from harming American citizens is the most important job for Congress,” stated Rep. Peters. “The bill will stop those who have sided with terrorists from returning to the United States.”

Congressman Peters Hosts Service Academy & ROTC Information Night

Sep 25, 2014 Press Release
Held at the San Diego County Office of Education, the event featured admissions counselors from the United States Military Academy at West Point, United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and representatives from various college ROTC programs. After Congressman Peters’ opening remarks, his staff was also on hand to answer specific questions about the Congressional nomination process.

Rep. Peters Leads 42 Colleagues in Effort to Stop ‘Early Dismissal’

Sep 19, 2014 Press Release
Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) continued his effort to convince Speaker John Boehner that the House of Representatives should not adjourn early for seven weeks of campaigning. Yesterday, Rep. Peters led 42 of his colleagues in sending a letter to the Speaker demanding votes on important, pending legislation.

Rep. Peters’ Statement on Continuing Resolution and ISIL Amendment

Sep 17, 2014 Press Release
Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.J.Res. 124, which funds the government through December 11, 2014. Rep. Peters also voted in favor of an amendment to the bill, authored by Rep. Buck McKeon, that authorizes the training and arming of moderate rebel forces in Syria as part of the continuing fight against ISIL.

Congressman Peters’ Statement on President Obama’s ISIS Speech

Sep 10, 2014 Press Release
“ISIS is an international threat that requires a coordinated response from the United States and our allies. ISIS has shown in recent months that they operate outside the realm of human decency, and allowing them to grow in size or number puts Americans and our allies at risk. I agree with the President that this is not the time for sending combat troops abroad and that targeted, tactical attacks in conjunction with a coordinated ground effort from our allies is the correct course of action. I am concerned that any weapons support we provide in Iraq or Syria may end up in enemy hands or be used against the United States in the future, and hope the Administration will provide more information in the coming days.”